I've gotta take advantage of the extra month of hunting with a bow. This will be my first. With pretty much any important or expensive purchase, I do my research. Not saying I've come to any conclusions but I've put in a lot of time into finding a good bow for a fair price (for a first bow). I know some hunt with $2K setups but I won't be doing that. Looking at the Bear Species as my first option. Goes for $400. Any other suggestions in that range? Arrows? Broadheads for whitetail and pigs? Releases? Target blocks?

Thanks in advance.

Cabela’s has a line of diamond bows maybe not the “BEST” but far more than serviceable and can be had for around $300. I’ve shot my dads and it’s a nice little bow especially for the money.

Go somewhere that has several different ones and will let you try them. The Bear, Diamond Edge, Edge SB-1, PSE Stinger.... there are quite a few bows that fit that category. Sold an older Diamond Edge to a guy from Colorado that called back in and said he got his elk with it. Sold a couple more to guys headed to Affrica as backup bows incase something happened to their high end setups.

Sold an SB-1 to a customer that was in town working and staying longer than planned, he bought the bow went and shot in a match while competing with guys shooting the high dollar stuff and came in 7th out of over 50 shooters. He had the bow 3 days before the match.

Shoot several and get the one you like the most

I would look at the Mission mxr or the mathews tactic. And if you are new i would suggest finding a proshop, not cabelas.

Rest: Whisker biscuit on the cheap end or for a little more I like a fall away. The biscuit is fine though, but will booger up your vanes, that is why i don't shoot one You don't need a high end fall away either, just solid and workable

Sight: You can go from mild to wild here, but I like a simple 3, 4, or 5 pin, being new I would go 3 or 4. I know lots of people like Sliders, but I always go back to pins and a cheap pin sight can be very accurate

Arrows: whatever the pro shop carries, i shoot Gold Tip, but there are plenty of good ones

Broadheads: Rage or Nap for expendables, Magnus stingers or black hornets for fixed. These are what I use, but I am sure there are other good ones

Releases: If you want a wrist release I like scott, for thumb go with something with a sear trigger

For targets I like a good bag like the better morrel ones for field tips and a broadhead target for broad heads. I like the bag for field tips, cause they are about the easiest to pull arrows from.


I am sure there are other bows that would be good too, but whatever you get go with something from a pro shop not a Big box store. I would go new on the bow for the warranty, but a pro shop might have a rest and sight used for a good deal.

Good luck

Thanks for the tips gents. Tough time finding a shop thats open right now that will let me come shoot a few. Anyone know of shops that are still open in the DFW area?

Once you know what you need as far as draw length, you can find some real nice shooting older bows, some ready to hunt, for under $400. I picked up a Matthews Switchback XT few years back for $300. When I did my research at that time, it was one of the best shootin bows Matthews had put out. Seen some really good deals over at TBH.

It all depends on the bigbox store and who you get. You can go to one and shoot a few bows and at least get a good idea of you draw length and poundage at Cabela's or BassPro. Those are still open as far as I know being they are essential businesses due to gun and ammo sales.

I used to work at Cabela's in Allen and would have a couple shops send me some of their customers when they were swamped. I have setup quite a few of the forum members with their bows. I Think David is still at te Allen store, if he is I know he can do a good job on setup

If I go with a Ready to Hunt Bear Approach at $400, do you think I can keep a decent release, field tips, arrows, shooting bag, etc under $550? Shot it and like it. Also works well for my range as far as draw weight and draw length. Would buy hunting arrows/broadheads later.

You can keep it in that or very close depending on what you decide on. Trufire makes some good shooting releases for around 50, bags are generally 40 to 60, arrows and fieldpoints in the 50 range for good starters. So it can be done

In that price range I stick to diamond bows.

One strategy is to find shops that have last years flagship models still on the shelf.

Better bow at better pricing. That said I’m a fan of diamond archery. Good how’s at good pricing.

Then get a good 5 pin sight ( I shoot a dead nuts) a good release, good arrows ( I shot bowhunter ICS 400’s) and a good broadhead, either fixed or mechanical if you pull enough weight.

Then go and shoot animals with said bow.

After you do it a few times step into a top end bow and don’t look back

Dallas Craigslist has several compound bows for sale.